Blamey, a keynote speaker at this week’s ACA annual conference in Sydney, was responding to the organisation’s interest in attracting seasonal visits from ships operating in Asia.
He said ships leaving Asia for re-positioning in Australia later this year are Ovation of the Seas, Golden Princess and Legend of the Seas, with Norwegian Star arriving in January 2017.
He said winters in China are bitterly cold and this is a major plus for moving to Australia’s summer.
However, he warned that many Chinese only get a few days’ leave a year and so prefer short round cruises.
On the positive side, he said there is a gradual relaxing of government restrictions for Chinese travellers and a possible acceptance of longer vacations.
There is a big selling job ahead for Australia because of the 341,000 Asians who went on international fly-cruises in 2015, Europe was by far the favourite destination, accounting for 75%, followed by the Caribbean.
Edie Rodriguez, president and ceo of Crystal Cruises, said there is a tremendous opportunity for Australia to extend its wave season, which currently runs from October until April.
Rodriguez, who took leave and made an extensive pre-conference trip, also said there are opportunities for regional Australia.
‘I encourage you to open more ports,’ she said.
‘Our international global luxury guests want to come to Australia.
‘Crystal has always come to Australia and I can tell you as the ceo we will continue to come to Australia.’
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